Staff at troubled boat-builder Oyster Yachts in Hoveton will be offered support by the council as they come to terms with losing their jobs.

The company sent staff home on Monday with redundancy notices after claiming it had run out of cash, though it is understood not to be in administration or liquidation. Around 180 staff are understood to work at the Hoveton yard, out of a total workforce of 400.

North Norfolk District Council leader Tom FitzPatrick said: “North Norfolk District Council is working hard to establish details of the closure of the business and put in place a programme of support for the local workforce affected by the announcement.

“We have made contact with the company and are speaking to a consortium of relevant partners to discuss a support package to mitigate the impact of the news.”

He added the situation was “of great concern” to workers and the wider community.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb has already raised concerns at the company’s decision to suspend work despite having boasted less than a month ago of a record £80m-plus order book going into 2018.